Tetrathemis irregularis cladophila, known as the rainforest elf, is a subspecies of Tetrathemis irregularis, a dragonfly in the family Libellulidae found only in Australia.[2]
| Tetrathemis irregularis cladophila | |
|---|---|
| |
| Tetrathemis irregularis cladophila, Cairns, Australia | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Odonata |
| Infraorder: | Anisoptera |
| Family: | Libellulidae |
| Genus: | Tetrathemis |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: | T. i. cladophila
|
| Trinomial name | |
| Tetrathemis irregularis cladophila | |
| |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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Description
editIt is a tiny to small, black and yellow dragonfly with a length of 25-30mm and wingspan of 40-50mm. The mostly clear wings are suffused with pale lemon. The abdomen is black with 3 to 4 yellow markings, and there is a metallic sheen on the synthorax.[3]
Distribution
editThe genus Tetrathemis extends from Africa and Madagascar to south-east Asia, New Guinea and Australia. Tetrathemis irregularis cladophila has only been recorded coastal and adjacent inland from Cape York Peninsula to Cardwell in Queensland.[4] The taxon has not yet been assessed for the IUCN Red List, but it appears in the Catalogue of Life.[5]
Habitat
editTetrathemis irregularis cladophila inhabits streams in rainforest.
Gallery
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Female in Cairns -
Male in Cairns -
Female Rainforest elf in Cairns, head on view -
Illustration of Tetrathemis wings -
Photo of female wings
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References
edit- ^ Tillyard, R.J. (1908). "On some remarkable Australian Libellulinae. Part ii. Descriptions of new species". Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales. 33: 637–649 [647] – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
- ^ a b "Australian Faunal Directory". Retrieved 9 March 2017.
- ^ Theischinger, G; Hawking, J (2006). The Complete Field Guide to Dragonflies of Australia. Collingwood Vic.: CSIRO Publishing. p. 258. ISBN 978 0 64309 073 6.
- ^ "Atlas of Living Australia". Retrieved 9 March 2017.
- ^ "Tetrathemis irregularis cladophila". Retrieved 9 March 2017.
Media related to Tetrathemis irregularis cladophila at Wikimedia Commons